Andre Villas-Boas believes Tottenham can banish the memory of their defeats in big matches this season only by completing a League double over Manchester United.

Spurs face the Premier League leaders on Sunday seeking to repeat their 3-2 win at Old Trafford in September, which was the first time the north Londoners had won there in the League since 1989.

Villas-Boas’s team have struggled in their other matches against England’s strongest sides, though, losing to Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal, but he revealed his players have been looking forward to the return clash with United ever since their 5-2 derby defeat by the Gunners in November.

“It’s a difficult game for us but we’ve been waiting for a fixture like this since we played City and Arsenal,” said Villas-Boas, speaking at the launch of Laureus Urban Stars research. “We want to do well and hopefully to progress in the League.

“There are difficult games ahead and hopefully we can achieve what we want. It’s important to beat the big teams and it doesn’t get any bigger than Manchester United, who are the leaders. They are on a very strong run of form and pose probably the most difficult challenge at the moment.”

Meanwhile, Tottenham were today exploring the possibility of making a move for Rennes midfielder Yann M’Vila, who appeared bound for Queens Park Rangers earlier in the week.

The France player was briefly a target for Spurs during the summer transfer window and now the White Hart Lane club are thought to be looking again and trying to sign him this month.

M’Vila played for Rennes in the French Cup this week and is valued at about £8million, far lower than the price that was being quoted in previous windows. QPR have made a formal offer to Rennes and remain hopeful of securing a deal.

Laureus ambassador Andre Villas Boas was speaking at the launch of Laureus Urban Stars research. The research showed that 80% of participants in the programme are less likely to get involved in gang culture and anti-social behaviour. Laureus Urban Stars has initiatives in Belfast, Bristol, Birmingham, Glasgow, London & Manchester.